Safety · Destination Guide
Budget friendly Caribbean diving with year round whale shark chances
Dive within limits, carry an SMB, and follow marine park rules. Utila has an operational hyperbaric chamber and nearby backup in Roatan.
Standardize SMB signals with your skipper, keep groups tight in drift pickups, and avoid overheads beyond training. Use nitrox where appropriate and plan conservative profiles on deeper walls and the wreck.
Utila Hyperbaric Chamber at Utila Lodge for dive emergencies. Keep DAN details handy. Roatan's Cornerstone chamber provides regional backup.
Boat traffic and drifts
Carry and deploy an SMB on ascents; stay tight to the group on pickups.
Hydroids and fire coral
Wear a rashguard and practice good trim in caverns and over shallow tops.
Do not anchor on reefs. Use moorings. Disinfect gear if moving between islands to reduce SCTLD transmission. Respect turtle nesting beaches and keep lights off at night.
Do Not Do This
Avoid entering when boat traffic and drifts. Confirm local briefings before committing.
| Contact | Role | Phone | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utila Hyperbaric Chamber | Recompression treatments | +504 2425 3378 | 24 7 on call |
| Cornerstone Hyperbaric Chamber Roatan | Recompression backup | +504 2445 3049 | 24 7 |
| Emergency services Honduras | Police Fire Ambulance | 911 | 24 7 |